Respite for residents as minimum temperatures increase across Kashmir Valley

PTI

Srinagar, January 20

The minimum temperature increased in most parts of Kashmir on Saturday, providing a slight relief to residents from the prevailing intense cold conditions, officials said here.

Srinagar city recorded a low temperature of -3.7°C, up from -4.9°C the previous day, they said. Qazigund recorded a low temperature of -4°C while the temperature at ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir was -4.6°C, the officials said.

They said Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district recorded a minimum temperature of -5.5°C, Kokernag town -2°C and Kupwara -4.7°C.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperatures recorded on Friday across Kashmir ranged between 4.7°C to 7°C above the normal for this time of the season.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of “Chilla-i-Kalan”, a 40-day harsh winter period when a cold wave sweeps the region and temperatures drop considerably, leading to the freezing of water bodies as well as water in the pipes. The chances of snowfall are the highest during this period.

This time, however, Kashmir is witnessing a prolonged dry spell and a 79 per cent deficit in rainfall was recorded in December last year. Besides, there has been no precipitation in most parts of the Valley in the first 20 days of January. A dry and largely snowless winter has resulted in freezing nights but warmer-than-usual days.

The ongoing period of ‘Chilla-i-Kalan’ will end on January 31. However, the cold conditions will continue after that with a 20-day period of ‘Chilla-i-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day period of ‘Chilla-i-Bachha’ (baby cold).

The Meteorological Department has said that there is a possibility of light snowfall and rain in the Valley next week, bringing an end to the prolonged dry spell.

While the dry weather is likely to continue till January 24, there is a possibility of light snow at isolated places in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir on January 25.

The MeT office has predicted that Jammu-Kashmir will witness light rain or snow over scattered places between January 26 and 28.

As per the indications of different models, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain or snow at many places on January 29-31, the Met office added.

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